We (an NHS Trust) have been approached with the request to quote undertake some screening for individuals who will be placed by an agency in various health care facilities. (not particularly our own Trust)

 

I am advised that there is documentation ?LAP which requires all such individuals to be shown to have immunity to hepatitis B with blood results taken in the last five years, besides checks for rubella immunity, varicella and TB immunity review.

 

There doesn’t appear to be any flexibility with respect to duties. Ie Exposure prone, medical, nursing, PAMS, qualified, unqualified, acute hospital setting, nursing home- all must meet the same standard.

I have several concerns:-

Where is the documentation (copy requested but not yet received)

Restrictions faced by individuals who have yet to have a primary Hep B course

What do we do with non responders

The ethics of testing on demand

Has anybody had sight of the requirements that have led to the request and what is the current level of management for agency staff.

I look forward to your responses

Sandy